M.Agr. Poultry Science (Distance Education)
The Master of Agriculture (MAgr) degree is designed for a student who wants professional graduate training with a management orientation in agriculture, food and natural resources. It is intended to emphasize the problem solving skills involved in the use of science and technology to benefit humanity, not as a research degree.
Program Details
The primary delivery system for course materials and student-teacher communication is the internet. Using the Canvas platform as the interface for the course, students can view streaming videos of lectures, and access supplemental notes, slide presentations, and resource materials through the TAMU Library. Required textbooks may be purchased online as well. The streaming video gives the student the sense of being in the actual classroom. These are not just “canned” courses. All lectures are presented in an asynchronous format, in other words, you do not have to be logged into the course website at the same time as the class here on campus. You may view the lectures online at any time of the day or night.
Application Deadlines
- Fall:December 1 priority; February 1 final
- Spring:September 1
Master of Agriculture Curriculum
Total of 36 Hours
(For all students with POSC as a home department)
- A maximum of9 credit hoursof upper-level (300 or 400) undergraduate courses
- Approximately12 credit hoursmay be taken outside of the POSC coursework and should support the individual’s degree program
- Recommendat least 50% of the coursescome from the POSC curriculum unless otherwise approved by the graduate student’s committee.
What Courses Will I Need to Take?
The Poultry Science MAG degree plan offered through the Poultry Science Department consists of36 hoursof coursework, and a comprehensive final oral examination to be administered by the advisory committee. The courses are selected by the students and his/her advisory committee to develop skills and expertise in specific academic areas to meet the student’s career objectives. These areas may include but are not limited to:
Live Production
(nutrition, physiology, diseases, waste management, etc.)
Nutrition
(nutrition, feed formulation, vitamins, minerals, etc.)
Processing/Safety
(poultry meat processing, microbiology, HACCP, etc.)
It will take approximately 3-4 years to complete this degree online if the student takes only one or two courses a semester. For a time-frame reference, students attending those same courses here on campus at a full course load of 9 hours a semester would complete those same 36 hours in about 1.5 – 2 years.
Is There Technical Support Available?
The Poultry Science Department maintains a full-time support person to assist online students with computer and procedural questions. Additionally, Computing and Information Services maintains Help Desk Central that is manned 24 hours a day to assist the students, faculty, and staff of Texas A&M University with your information technology questions.
How Much Will it Cost?
Tuition and fees for distance education programs can vary significantly depending on factors such as Texas residency, and other costs necessary to deliver a course. The following figures are general estimates of tuition and fees for a 3-credit hour course and are based on the latest rate structure. The university does the exact determinations at the time of registration each semester.
In-State Students — $1700
Out-of-State Students — $3300
Most distance education students qualify for the Federal Stafford Loan. Additionally, many companies provide financial assistance to their employees for educational expenses so students should check all potential assistance sources.
How do I Apply?
For admission to Graduate Studies as a degree-seeking student, applicants must meet minimum entrance requirements as set by the Texas A&M University Office of Admissions and Records and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Satisfying the minimum criteria qualifies an applicant for consideration but does not guarantee admission to the program.
Acceptance Criteria:
1. Undergraduate academic record
2. Recommendation forms
3. Applicant’s statement of desire/purpose
4. International students whose native language is not English must fulfill an English proficiency requirement, through either English Proficiency Verification or English Language Certification.
It is recommended that you contact the Poultry Science Department Distance Education Coordinator and discuss your background with a faculty advisor before you apply.
Admission to Graduate Studies as a non-degree-seeking student (NDS) requires all of the items listed above. NDS students may reapply for degree-seeking at a later date but there are limitations as to the number of courses taken as NDS that can be used towards a degree. International students are not eligible for NDS status.
What Do I Need to Apply?
- Application through the Texas A&M University GraduateCAS system
- Upload unofficial transcriptswith your application
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
- Three letters of recommendation, submitted online with your application
- Official transcripts and records, sent to theOffice of Admissions
International Students
Official TOEFL scores are required for international applicants. Official scores must be sent by ETS directly to Texas A&M University using the school code: 6003. Visit the Graduate & Professional School website for a list of requirements, exemptions and other useful information regarding the TOEFL/IELTS Exams.
Contact Us
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Jill Domel
Instructional Assistant Professor - Welfare and Stress, Coordinator of Distant Education